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Browsing All Posts filed under »Etiquette«
Buttoned Up
When I first wore my first three-piece tuxedo a while ago, I took every opportunity to unbutton my jacket and proudly display the sartorial elegance of my classic evening waistcoat. Returning from the event, I reviewed the evening’s photos only to realize that this practice made the overall outfit look less sophisticated, not more so. Historical fashion […]
Dress in the Dominion: Historical Canadian Etiquette
July 24, 2014
The historical paucity of genuine Canadian etiquette guides originally led me to wonder how much my ancestors’ sense of propriety was effected by our culture’s most predominant influences: our British founders and our American neighbours. If the content of the Toronto Reference Library’s collections is any indication, U.S. publications were clearly the preferred choice whether […]
Dude, Where’s My Jacket?
March 31, 2014
You know that guy at a formal party who takes off his jacket the first chance he gets? Don’t be that guy. At least not beyond high school. Boys can be forgiven for doffing their coats at formal teenage parties, partly because it’s a practical choice when dancing up a storm and partly because it’s understood that at this age a suit is […]
Formal Lapel Pins
March 13, 2014
There’s been a subtle yet noteworthy change to the tuxedo images on the Brooks Brothers site: a United States flag pin has been digitally added to the lapel of all but one of the jackets. (It appears that the Great Gatsby model’s historical authenticity won out over national pride.) Which begs the question, are lapel […]
Behind the Scenes at the NAIAS Charity Preview
January 23, 2014
After attending the Charity Preview of the 2014 North American International Auto Show last week I spoke with the show’s Executive Director Rod Alberts for some insight into North America’s largest annual black-tie event. It turns out that his views on the dress code are much the same as mine. But first, a bit of […]
Western Tuxedo Etiquette: A Right Proper Gentleman
December 19, 2013
Further to yesterday’s post on western tuxedo attire I thought I should touch on the corresponding etiquette. Now, there’s no specific rule book when it comes to this subset of formal wear but there are plenty of longstanding general conventions that can provide a very sound context for when and where it would be appropriate. […]
White Tie at the Holy See
March 22, 2013
It’s rare enough for White Tie to be worn to any diplomatic occasion these days but rarer still to see it worn as per Vatican protocol: in broad daylight and with a black waistcoat. The replacement of the usual white waistcoat may well be related to the proscription of white dresses at papal audiences for any woman other […]
Flashback: 1920s Etiquette
February 14, 2013
I came across this wonderful cartoon on the Cutter and Tailor forum. The person who posted it informs me that it came from a 1924 issue of Vanity Fair and that the caption was “Dinner jacket is SEMIformal.” Ah for the days when a full black-tie kit was the formal equivalent of slumming it.
Vienna Balls Dress Codes
February 7, 2013
While writing a recent post on Vienna’s famous balls I stumbled across a remarkable booklet called DRESSCODES that is devoted entirely to the dress etiquette for these affairs. I say “remarkable” because in an age where vulgarity and slovenliness is increasingly fashionable, Vienna’s social leaders have the audacity to suggest that people hold themselves to […]
The Joy of Tux
October 25, 2012
A Robb Report article once stated “of all the days that blend into years that drift into the past, tuxedo days are, without exception, special days.” After a year-long black-tie drought I finally had a chance to don my own tuxedo recently and discovered this adage to be as true as ever. The sense of […]
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